Ok, so I went back and checked to make sure, because I was trying to figure out why Linas took a shot at that dude. So in the 3rd, I thought I saw Jonas look like someone hit his back, so I checked, and I think it's Stuckey or one of their other perimeter players just gave him the elbow right in the spine. Looks like Linas will be getting JV's back, if not the whole team's, this year. This makes him entirely worth his contract. Dude is cold blooded.

Ok, so I went back and checked to make sure, because I was trying to figure out why Linas took a shot at that dude. So in the 3rd, I thought I saw Jonas look like someone hit his back, so I checked, and I think it's Stuckey or one of their other perimeter players just gave him the elbow right in the spine. Looks like Linas will be getting JV's back, if not the whole team's, this year. This makes him entirely worth his contract. Dude is cold blooded.

You just don't mess with the Lithuanian Secret Police. I thought this was a well known fact.

Lucas is a terrible point guard. Hope Jose and Lowry stay healthy this year.

Are you high? he's 20x better than bayless and he actually gets dudes involved. Did you not see that wrap around pass to Eddy and that sweet bounce pass to alan anderson for 3? for a 3rd stringer he's amazing and he can be a decent backup if Caldy is traded. he looked better than jose tonight for sure.

Post game analysis.

This is my very first post! For the Toronto Raptors post-game/news series! Hope you all like it!

What I will be posting, are my impressions, and basically my opinions on the game from the recent date! I am a member of the RaptorsRepublic forum, and have been posting and discussing raptors for quite awhile now.

So, here it is, my very first blogger post on the Toronto Raptors. I have sections I address, and here they are!:

Summarize: This game was extremely hard to watch in the beginning. Both teams going off with bad starts, no to mention Landry Fields with a 'Rasual Butler' inbound. Most of you Raptor fans know what I'm talking about. From my eye tonight, Toronto had 2 guys who really stood out to me, JV, and Ed. They really affected the game tonight, and affected it with their strengths. Although! John Lucas III had a good game as well, he got people involved, hit shots, and as of now, could be carrying a bigger role, but, I will elaborate later. Detroit had an all-around effort (not a great result), no real standout unlike last game, where Drummond was clearly the look of the game. Ross struggled offensively tonight, along with Bargnani and Fields.
This was a regular, Eastern Conference game, of grind it out, simple, hit me, I'll hit you back basketball. Ugly, slow, but hey, it's pre-season.

Jonas Valanciunas: Changed a huge number of shots, great help defense, and was extremely active. Really reminded me of the performance Anthony Davis had in the NCAA Championship. He was so active, making guys think twice before heading into the lane.

Offensive Standout:

Jonas Valanciunas: He was looked off a number of times. He rolled hard to the basket, creating so much space for guys on the perimeter, not to mention he did not fade in the post. Delivered every time he was given the ball, not to mention he made an outstanding move to the basket with a good pump-fake, and a forgotten sky-hook.

Toronto Positives: This team is extremely deep. No doubt about it. John Lucas is a star 3rd string. If there was an MVP for 3rd strings, it would be him. The rookie centre was solid, very good on both ends of the floor. As a team though, they never gave up, and when it really counted, they buckled down defensively, and made some key offensive plays down the stretch. The one thing with this team last season, was Toronto could never come up with those important plays down the stretch. BUT, with a capable in-post scorer like Val, healthy top-10 point guard Kyle Lowry, John Lucas, Terrence Ross, and the team is healthy overall, those crunch time games should be easier for Coach Casey and the staff to structure. 96% from the free throw line is a nice stat to see.

Toronto Negatives: Jose Calderon is out with a hamstring injury. Especially with Lowry out until further notice, we are in trouble. As much as Lucas is a very, very solid back-up, he is not the ideal guy to start a game. 18 turnovers overall throughout the game, 39% shooting, 29% from the outside. Obviously this team had some fatigue, but, offensively, there was rare ball movement, and too many pass and shoot possessions. The execution was poor in the first 3 quarters, and something the team seriously needs to work on.

Overall, decent game, but Detroit isn't a team the league expects to contend for a playoff spot. But, like I said, it's pre-season!